Newcastle United are set to miss out on two of their highest priority targets – Aleksandar Mitrovic and Patrick Bamford.
The former has been heavily linked with a £15million move to Tyneside for the past few weeks, but Anderlecht’s general manager Herman van Holsbeeck has confirmed Mitrovic will not be leaving the Belgium club this window.
“At 20, Mitrovic has scored 20 league goals this season,” said van Holsbeeck. “He scored against Arsenal, Dortmund and has also played for Serbia.
“This is a striker who you know can really improve a side. Therefore, we have decided against selling him. Mitro is aware, and he wants to stay.”
It is believed Newcastle had cooled their interest in Mitrovic due to his lucrative wage demands, but Herman’s comments were the final nail in the coffin.
Meanwhile, Chelsea youngster Patrick Bamford was reportedly closing in on a season long loan move to St James’ Park, with Jose Mourinho keen on the 21-year-old gaining some valuable first-team experience.
However, Bamford is set to be weary about signing for the Magpies due to the imminent unveiling of Steve McClaren as their new head coach.
He spent the second half of the 2013/14 season playing under McClaren’s management for Derby County and, while it was a relatively successful spell (scoring eight times), Patrick grew frustrated at often being selected in a wide midfield position, rather than his natural centre forward position.
Bamford, whilst on loan at Middlesbrough, then scored against Derby at the iPro Stadium last season. After the game, he said: “That’s what happens when you play me in the right position” – a subtle dig at his former boss.
